Lifting jack



Jan. 30, 1923. 1,443,593

' C. W. RiPSCH ET AL.

UFTING JACK- omkamm. FILED mm]. 1919. 3 susnsqnzn 1.

L, I ATTORNEY Jan. 30, 1923.

c. w. RIPSCH ET AL.

LIFTING'JACK. ORIGINAL FILED JAN. 3:, 1919. 3 SHEETS-SREET 2.

INVENTORS BY cm J'Jmasp/ Jan.30,1923. 1,443,593.

C. W. RIPSCH ET AL. V

LIFTING JACK.

A TORNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT CHARLES W. BIPSCH, J C. DAWLEY, AND CHARLES D. DERBY, OF DAYTON, OHIO,

ASSIGNORS TO THE JOYCE-CRIDLAND COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORA- TION OF OHIO.

LIFTING JACK.

Application filed January 31, 1919, Serial No. 274,281. Renewed June 7, 1920. Serial No. 387,155.

To all whom it may concern: Y

Be it known that We, CHARLES \V. HIPscir, Jriiiins G. DAWLEY, and CHARLES D. DERBY, citizens of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of iliontgoniery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lifting Jacks, of which the following is a spo 'ilication, reference being had therein to the accompanyi]1.'.{ drawing.

his invention relates to lilting jacks and more particularly to a self-lowering jack.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind with which the load can he quickly and easily lowered under the full control of the operator: and with which the load may l e lowered by gravity, or bf which it may be positively driven downward.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a. device of this kind in which the normal actuating device for lifting the load may he utilized for controlling the lowering mechanism.

it is also an object of the inveniimi to provide such a device which will he simple in its construction and operation; and which will he of such a character that the load can he lowered niti: and :icr'ii rately controlled as to position.

It is also an object of the invcntiim to pro vide such a dcxice which will he of a very compact construction, of a very strong, durable character. and of a relatively light weight.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device oi this kind conn rising a. lifting screw and nut with means for automatically maintaining the nut and screw in alinenicnt.

It is also an object of the invention to provide in device of this kind a thrust bearing nh ch carries the weight oil the load and is of such a construction that the anti-trio tion members will not form grooves in, or otherwise roughcn the surfaces of, th h ing plates.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the mechanism is dcsr-rihed in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. i is :1 vertical sectional view, partly in elevation; Fig. is a sectional view, taken on the hue 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line t3--3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; F l is a side eleiation; and Fig. is a sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 looking in who direction of the arrows.

in thine drawings we have illustrated one l' illflllhlilelll of our invention and have shown the same as applied to a screw opcrated jacli in which the screw constitutes the liftin element and is rotated in a rclativelv fixo not it lie. the load. It will be understood, lili\\'\i1,tl]:li this particulartypeof has been chosen for the purpose (it illustration opiy. and that the invention, with or Without nioclilicntion, can he applied to lifting de- HCQs of various kinds. 7

in :hat Form of the device here illustratl the jack comprises a base 1 having an n ardly extending; hollow portion constiint a standard 2, the upper portion of wh ch is enlarged to receive a not 3 which held against longitudinal or rotarv inovenicm; therein, this being accomplished in the present instance by neans of lugs 4 extending through openings in the side Walls of the fzmilsird. .-\rranged within the standard 2 Jr a li {ting element or screw 53 which meshes with the not 3, and the threads of which are of such it pitch that under norm loonditions the weight or the load on the lifting element will came the screw to rotate in a direction to lower the load, when the screw l sp-i l ven disconnected from its operating de viccs. The lifting element is provided atits npperend with a load engaging dei icefor cap 6 which, in the present instancei has connected therewith a tubular housiiig 7 which extends downwardly about the hollow standard 2 and is provided with afportion, 8, which engages the outer sur'l ace of the standard and tends to hold the cap and the lifting element against tilting movement relatively to the standard and. to thus niaintan] the screw in its proper lon itndinal position and in alinelnent with its not There is, however, more or less of a, tilting strain imposed upon the screw iindercertain conditions of operation, and the nut is mounted that it can accommodate itself to these slight movements of the screw so as to maintain the nut and screw in alinement and prevent any binding between the two parts. To accomplish this, the nut'niust have a slight latcrz l movement relatively to the supporting shoulder 9 of the standard, and it is desirable that this lower siirliace should he tapered or curved. VIIQWEVQI,

where the lower end of the nut is tapered, there is a tendency to distort the tapered end of the nut, under tilting strains on the screw, and thus cause the threads thereon to bind upon the threads of the screw, thereby interfering with its free action. For this reason, it is desirable that the nut should have a flat lower end which will not be readily distorted. To permit of the nut being provided with a fiat lower end and still being able to accommodate itself to lateral strains on the screw, we have provided the nut with an extension 10 which, in the present construction, is shown as formed separately from the nut itsell and which constitutes an alining device or washer. This alining device has an internal diameter slightly larger than the largest i'liameter of the screw. and has its upper end fiat to engage the Hat end of the not. and has its lower end tapered. Preferably, the lower surface of the alining device or washer conforms to a section of a sphere, and the shoulder 9 is correspondingly shaped so that the alining device will have free movement thereon. By means of this ci'instruc-tiou the nut may accommodate itself to any slight tilting movements of the screw. and the washer or alining device will shift its position to permit of this movement. But. inasmuch as the alining device not in engagement with the screw, there is no binding zution between the same and the screw or be tween the screw and the nut.

Inasmuch as the screw rotates relatively to the load engaging device or cap 6, it is desirable that an anti-friction hearing be interposed between the cap and the screw to facilitate the operation of the screw, and we have here shown such a hearing, which consists of a top plate ll. which. in the prescnt instance. is formed separate from the cap and is seated in a recess in the hottom thereof, and a bottom plate 12 which supported by the screw. interposed between these plates is a series of antidriction members, which are here shown as balls. As is customary, these balls are mounted in a carrier or cage 13. which maintains them in their proper relations one to the other but permits each ball to have free rotation about its individual axis. As bearings of this type are ordinarly constructed, the balls are arranged in series and each hall of each series travels in the same path and travels in thi path all the time. Consequently. there is a tendency to form grooves or annular depressions in the bearing plates, which increase the frictional contact between the balls and the plates and thus tend to retard the free action of the bearing. To overcome this tendeno we have so constructed the carrier or cage 13 that the several balls will each travel in its individual path, and further. we have provided means which will permit each ball to change its line of travel from time to time, thus the entire surfaces of the bearing plates are utilized and there is no tendency to form grooves or irregularities in these surfaces. This may be accomplished by various arrangements of the balls but, preferably, each ball is spaced at diilerent distance from the axis of the bearing and, in the present construction, I have shown the balls arranged in a spiral, which results in placing each ball a different radial distance from the center of the bearing. (,onsequently, no two balls travel in the same path. To permit the individual balls to change their line of movement, we have provided the carrier l3 with a central opening 14, through which the stem 15 of the screw asses. which slightly larger in diameter than the stem, thus permitting the carrier to have a slight lateral movement relatiiely to the hearing plates, which will cause the positions of the several balls relatively to the plates to be changed from time to time, thus preventing them from travellingconstantly in single lines, which would tend to form grooves in the bearing plates.

The lifting element of the jacl: is pro- \idcd with a rotatable member to which movement is imparted by suitable operatinuj mechanism, and which serves to impart lifting," movement to the lifting elr-mentf In the present instance, where the lift ng clement is in the form of a screw, we have shown this rotary member as .1 heveled gear it} which is mounted on the stem 15 of the screw proper, this portion of the atom beings angular in cross section to hold the gear against rotation relatively thereto. The connections between this rotary member and he :u'rtuatinp device may tak im'imas torrid but, as here iown, the connection omprises a single beveled gear l? whi h is secured to and. in the present instance, Forms a part of a shaft it? which is arran ed at Hliiirllilllltially riglit angles to [he liti og' Moment 5') and is journaled in a bearing l!) ormcd in a closure or plate 20, which closes an openin :v in the side of the housintz T. in the present construction. this shaft of a considerable length and it is supported lit-tween it ends by a second hearing: 21. ich i formed in a partition in a holis ie' 23. which encloses the controlling incchanicmi, which is to be hereinafter dos. ihed. The urinating devices are here shown as con-- neeted with the outer end of the shaft l8 and, in. the present construction. these devices cousii-tt o!" a ratchet wheel 2% rigidly, svcure l to the end of the shaft. and a pawl 25 cooperating with said ratchet wheel and ZQitlilfllll) mounted on a lever 26, hr 1:!621113 ol' which the pawl may be caused to actuate the ratchet wheel and thus. through the connecting devices, transmit movement to 1 ,443 ,soe

the rotary member which is connected with the lifting element. As here shown, the lever comprises a socket member 27 adapted to receive a spike or hand bar, WfllCll will provide ample leverage for actuating the jack. The pawl 25 is shown in the form of a lunger which is slidably mounted in a tu ular guideway 28 forming a part of the lever construction, and is held normally in yielding engagement with the ratch't wheel by means of a spring 29 coiled about the stem of the plunger and coniined between the head of the plunger and the outer end of the guideway. The end of the plunger stem extends beyond the guideway and is provided with a head 30, by means of which the pawl may be retracted against the tension of the spring when it is desired to render the actuating devices inoperative. Various means may be provided for retaining the plunger or pawl in its retracted po sition but, in the present construction, the head 30 is fiat on one side, as shown at 31, and this flat side lies close to a shoulder, 32, on the leverstructure, so that when the head has been moved outward a distance sullicient to move the pawl into an inoperative position with relation to the ratchet wheel, the head may be rotated to cause the wider portion thereof to overlap the shoulder and thus prevent the pawl from being returned to its normal position. It is preferable that the pawl itself should not be rotated. and we have shown the head as rotatably secured to the stem of the plunger. thus perniitting it to be moved into locking position without rotating the plunger or pawl. The lever structure is, of course. rotatable about the axis ol the shalt and it may be mounted in any suitable manner but. in the present construction, we have shown this structure as comprising a circular plate 31% which is mounted in a circular opening;' in the end of the housing 23. which opening forms a bearing in which the plate :33 may rotate, the plate also serving as a closure for the opening in the housing. It will be apparent. therefore, that so long as the pawl is in its normal operative engagement with the ratchet wheel 24, the manipulation of the lever will cause the ratchet wheel and shaft 18 to be rotated; thus imparting operative movement to the lifting element.

We have provided mechanism cooperat inn with the rotary member for the lifting element in such a manner that the load may be lowered either by its own weight or b a positive operation of the lifting t ltllltlll. in a downward direction, and this mecha-- nism is preferably, but not necessarily. actuated by the lever structure which forms a part of the actuating device for imparting lifting movement to the lifting element. This mechanism may take various forms but. preferably, it embodies a controlling member which will be connected with lb lilting: element when the latter moves downwardly. or in a reverse direction. and a to tardinn' member cooperating with said controlling; member to hold the liftin; clement against downward movement except. Who said retarding member is. actuated; and it may also include means for enabling the operation of the retarding member to posh lively drive the lifting element downwardly. In that form of the device here illustrated. we have mounted a worm wheel 33' loosely on the shaft l8 adjacent to thc bearing lb. and have provided a lutch which will connect the worm wheel with the shalt when the latter is rotated in a direction to permit the downward movement of the lifting element. As here shown, we have proiidril the worm wheel with one member, 34. of the clutch, the clutch teeth being shown :,l:a formcd integral with the hub of the vorin wheel, and we have slidablv mounted on the she 't 18 a second clutch member having teeth which will cooperate with the clut h member lhe clutch member 35 is held against rotation relatively to the shaft in. preferably, by forming that portion o i the shalt on which it is mounted oi an annular cross section. and it is held in yielding: engagement with the clutch member 34 by means of spring-pressed balls 86. which bear against the lateral portions of the clutch member, The clutch teeth are so arranged that when the shaft is rotated in a direction to elevate the lifting member. the teeth of the clutch member 35 will ride over the teeth of the clutch member ill and then: will be no tendency to rotate the worn: wheel. but when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction. the two sets of clutch teeth will engage one with the other and lock the shaft against movement rclativclv to the worm wheel. The worm wheel meshes with a worm 3T mounted on a shaft lib. which serves to hold it normally against movement. oi'isequcntiy. the shaft l8 and the lifting element are normally locked 130eitivel against movement in a reverse dire tion, and the lifting: element can only bc lowered when the worm I)? is rotated. The clutch teeth are of such a character that there is scarcely a possibility of their failing to engage when the shaft is rotated in a reverse direction but. to eliminate all possi bility of such a failure, under unusual circumstances, we have provided a suppl mental clutch construction which will grip the shaft and connect it with the worm wheel. should there be a tendency of the shaft to move relatively to the worm whee in a reverse direction. As shown in the a companying drawings. (sec F 2 and 3) the hub of the worm wheel is provided with tapered recesses 39 arranged on oppositisides thereof and opening against the shaft iii each of these recesses is mounted a roller it which is pressed by a spring ii. toward the smaller end of the recess. Ho lone; 21s the shaft is rotated in a torward direction. the action of the shaft on the rollers will tend to move them toward the arger ends of the recesses and there will he. no tendenq on the part of the rollers to restrict the movement of the shatt, but as oon as the shaft rotates in a reverse direc tion, relativel} to the worm wheel, it will tend to move the rollers toward the smaller ends of the recesses. thus causing them to irrip the surface the shaft and clutch the some to the worm wheel. This action will either entirely check the movement oi the shalt relat vely t the worm wheel. or will retard it to such an extent that the clutch members will have an opportunity to engage one with the other. A single clutch llltlllldi', such as that last described, could be utilized for c .inner-lino the worm wheel to the haft ii the load were always to he lowereiil under it own weight but. as will he hcr in jttter explained, it is son'letiines desirable to drive the load down positively and a friction clutch such as descrihed would not haw this function. 'lherefore. we pre" or to utilize for the main connection a toothed clutch and to utilize a sup ilemenlal friction clutch as above explained. The worm 21? has connected therewith a train of gearing which may be connected with the ac Hating lover, or other suit ahle actuating; devices. tor rotating the wot-iii and thus controlling the movement of the worm wheel. This gearing may take various forms but, for the sake of compactness. we prefer to use spiral gears and we have here shown a spiral gear 49 l'lglfi'll) i 'illtil to and, in the present instance. Formed integral with the worm wheel 37. Arranged directl al'ioie and meshing with lllt spiral gear on an axis extend lug transversely to the axis of that gear. a second spiral gear i3. which is: mounted on a shaft -14 extending parallel with the .lririne shaft The gear 43 is rigidly so ured, and. in the present instance. formed integral with its shatt, and on thi shalt i mounted a pinion l which meshes with gear a l; rotatably mounted about the axis oi the sha -t .8. In the present construclion the gear 4-6 is mounted on the outer surface ol the hearing 21 in the partition ol' the housing" 2 Rigidlv secured to the gear 46 is a ratchet wheel l7. Cooperatiu; with this ratchet wheel (see Figs. l and 4') is a pawl a8 pivotally mounted on the lever :26 and having an arm 49 extending along-side of the plunger or main driving pawl 25. A pin 50 rigidly secured to the plunger 2:) projects through a slot 51 in the inner wall of the guideway 28 in which the plunger is mounted, and extends above the arm 49. The spring 29, which holds the plunger in yielding engagement with the ratchet wheel 24. also holds the arm 49 in such a position as to retain the pawl. l8 normally in an inoperative position with respect to the ratchet wheel -l-T, so that in the lilting operation there will be no contact lIG- tween the ratchet wheel ll and its pawl 1'8. A spring tends to more the pawl -18 toward the ratchet wheel l1" and when the plunger is moved to its inoperative posh lion, above descrihcd, this spring will cause the pawl is to engage the ratchet wheel 47. When the plunger 2:3 has been moved into its inoperative position, the lever structure can he rotated alter the manllti'. of a ciank wheel and it is provided with a handle 52%, by means of which it may be so rotated. This rotation of the lever structure causes the pawl lb to actuate the ratchet wheel 47 and gear 46, thus transmitting movement through the spiral gears to the worm 37. which rotates the worm wheel 33 in such a direction as to permit the lifting; lPIllQIlt to move downwardly under the weigl'lt oi the load, it having been above explained that the pitch of the lifting screw. in the present illustration oi' the invention. is such as to permit; the screw to have this action. Th is mechanism ma be actuated at s ch a speed as to rapidly lower the load, but the load can no no faster than the worm 37 is rotated, and it is always positively under the control of the operator.

Should the lifting element fail to more downward under the weight of the load, because the screw had become gummed. or l'or any other reason. the controlling me ha nism may be utilized to positively move the same downward hy simpl v causing the worm wheel 33 to be clutched to the shall so that it will rotate the shaft instead of being r0 tated by the shat t. This we accomplish by locking the toothed clutch members in engagement one with the other. In the con struction here shown. a slide block or plunger 54: is slidahly mounted in the side wall oi the housing 23 and arranged to enter the space between the clutch member 35 and the partition wl'icn the clutch members are in engagement one with the other. This plunger is held normally in its retracted position by means of a spring 55 and is provided. with a head or push rod 56 so arranged that it may be conveniently actuated by the operator. Thus it the lifting element does not more downward when the screw 37 is rotated, the worm 33 merely rotating; on the shaft 18, it is only necessary for the operator to force the plunger inwardly to lock the clutch members in engagement and thus positively connect the worm wheel with the shaft, thus causing the shaft to he rotated by the worm and to impart reverse movement to the lifting element.

Preferably, an anti-friction thrust hearing 57 is iuterposei'l between the Worm Wheel 37 and the hearing for the shaft 38 to take up the thrust imparted to the worm wheel and the spiral gear iii. The worm, the worm Wheel. and their cooperating parts are all mounted in a chamber 51% formed within the housing 23 between the wlosurz- 3H and tin partition 22;, and this elnnnl'wr may contain oil. so that these parts aill operate in an oil hath and will carry the oil upwardly' and distribute it to-those parts of the mechanism which are not immersed therein. The partition 32 may he provided with a port 9 which will convey oil from the chamber 58 to the hearings for the gear 46 and ratchet wheel 47.

The operation of the mechanism will be readily understood from the foregoing description of the several parts thereof. and it will be apparent that we have provided a Ineehanism of the character descrilaal which is very simple and compact in its roa- Hll'ili'ilfil]. which is of a strong. rigid chararter. and in which the load may he rapidly lower-ml under the full control of the operator and that there is no possibility of the havering: mechanism failing to operate. and thu causing the load to be lowered too rapidly for safety this being prewnted hy the positive locking action of the Worm against the Worm Wheel.

While we have shown and described one embodiment of our invenlioin we wish it to he understood that we do not desire to be limited to the details of construction thereof, as various modifications will orfnr to a person skilled in the art. For examplm spiral gears or other devices having: similar functions may he substituted for the worm and worm wheel and when so substituted will. obviously. he the full equivalent thereof. Further. the pitch of the Worm and norm \vheel may he such that the Worm wheel will drive the worm and the spiral near may be utilized as a. locking or retarding medium.

Having thus fully described our inventioin What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters; Patent is:

i. In a mechanism of the character de scribed, a lifting element, a rotary member conencted with said lifting element, an actuating device to impart forward movement to sa d rotary member, a worm wheel. means for eminectingg said Worm WlltQl with Said rotary member when the latter is moved in a rewrse direction, a worm meshing with said \voru. wheel, and means for disconnecting: said actuating de ice from said rotary member and connecting the same with said norm.

2. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element" a rotary member manicured W 1th said lifting element, an ace tuating device to impart forward movement to said rotary member, a Worm wheel, means for connecting said worm wheel with said rotary member when the latter is moved in a reverse direction, a Worm meshing with said worm wheel actuating means for said worm comprising a ratchet Wheel, and a pa v-xl. cooperating therewith, said pawl being carried by the actuating device for said rotary member. and means for holding said pawl normally in an inoperative position and for rendering the same operative when said actuating device is disconnected from said rotary member.

In a mechanism of the character described. a lifting element, a rotary member connected with said lifting element, an actuating device to impart forward movement to said rotary member, a worm wheel, means for connecting said worm wheel with said rotary member when the latter is moved in a reverse direction, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, actuating means for said worm, said actuating means being normally inoperative. and means for disconnecting the firstmentioned actuating device from said rotary member and for rendering the last mentioned actuating device operative.

4. In a mechanism of the character described. a lifting element a rotary member connected with said lifting element, an actu atingz device to impart forward movement to said rotary member, means for rendering said actuating device inoperative. a worm wheel, means for connecting said worm wheel with said rotary member when the la'lter is moved in a reverse direction, a Worm meshing with said Worm wheel. normall inoperative actuating means for said worm, and means to render said last-med tioned actuating means operative, said last- !nentioned means heing controlled by the means for disconnecting the first-mentioned actuating device from said rotary member.

5. In a mechanism of the character described. a lifting; element, a rotary member connected with said lifting element. an actuating device to impart forward movement to said rotary member, means for rendering said actuating device inoperative. a worm wheel means for connecting said Worm wheel with said rotary member when the latter is moved in a reverse direction, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, an actuating devlce for said worm comprising a normally inoperative driving member, and means for rendering said driving member operative, said last-.Inentloned means being controlled by the means for disconnecting the first-mentioned actuating device from said rotary member.

6. In a mechanism of the character described a lifting element, a rotary member connected with said lifting element, snooty ating device to inmart forward movement said lever and arranged to cooperate with the net-mentioned ratchet wheel a am mention between said pawls to causethe last mentioned pawl to he held in an inoperati e position when the first-mentioned pawl i operative and to cause said last-mentioned pawl to he moved into an UpPl'llilYe position when the first-mentioned pawl is inoperatire.

33. In a inechanisn'v of the character descrilied. a lifting element. a rotary llltnl tl connected with said lifting element. a ratchet wheel connected with said rotary ine'mher. a lever a pawl carried by .lill lever and cooperating with said ratchet wheel. means tor moving said pawl into an inoperative position. a worm wheel. means for connecting said norm wheel with said rotary member when the latter moved in a reverse direction. a worm meshing with said worm wheel. an actuating device for said Worm comprising a ratchet wheel. accelerating gearing interposed between said ratchet wheel and said worm. a pawl c nnected with said lever and arranged to cooperate with the last-mentioned ratchet wheel. a onnection between said pawls to cause the lastinentioncd pawl to he held in an inoperative position when the first-mentioned pawl is operative, and to cause said last mentioned pawl to he moved into an operative position when the first-mentioned pawl is inoperative, and means for retaining said Firstmentioned pawl in an inoperative position.

14. In a mechanism of the character described. a. lifting element. a. rotar naemher connected with said lifting element. a shaft operatively connected with said rotary member, a ratchet wheel mounted on said shaft. an actuating member mounted for rotation about said shatt. a pawl carried h said actuating member to cooperate with said ratchet wheel. means for moving said pawl into an inoperative position and lemming the same in that position. a worm wheel mounted on said shaft. a clutch to connect said worm wheel with said shaft when the. latter is moved in a reverse direction. a worm meshing with said worm wheel. an actnatinn doricc for said worm comprising a ratchet wheel mounted about said shaft and scaring interposed between sad ratchet'wheel and said worm, a pawl carried by said actuating member and adapted to cooperate with said last-mentioned ratchet wheel. means controlled by the first-mentioned pawl to hold the lE'St-Illllillil-lifli pawl normally in an inoperative position vith relation to its ratchet wheel. and to cause the same to operatively engage said ratchet wheel when the first-mentioned pawl is moved into an inoperative position.

to. In a mechanism of the character described. iiiting element. a rotary member connected with said lifting element. a shaft connected with said rotary member. a ratchet "a heel secured to said shaft. a lever rotatable about the axis of said shaft. a pawl carried by said lever to eoopera'lo with said ratchet wheel. means {or moving: said pawl into an inoperative position and for retaining the same in that position. means for controlling the movement oi said shaft in a reverse direction comprising a retarding; member and :2 ratchet wheel inuet-ted therewith. a pawl to ectuatc said ratche wheel. and means controlled h the pawl on said le\cr to hold said lastncur 181i pawl normally in an inoperative position. and to cause the same to engage its ratehct wheel when the first-mentioned pan! is moved into an inoperative position.

16. In a mechanism of the character descrihed. a lifting element, a rotary member connected with said lifting element. a shaft conncetcd with said rotary memher. a ratchet wheel secured to said shaft. a lever rotatahlc about the axis of said shatt. a pawl carried ivv said iever to cooperate w th said ratchet wheel. mean i'or moving said pawl into an inoperative position and or rctainin; the same in that position. means for controlling the movement of said shaft in a reverse di rection. comprising a retarding member and a ratchet wheel connected therewith, a second pawl carried by said lever and adapted to cooperate with the last-mentioned ratchet wheel. a spring tending to move said pawl into engagement with said ratchet wheel. and a part carried by thelirst mentioned pawl to hold said lflStT-lntlltlfll'ltfl pawl in an inoperative position when the first mentioned pawl isin an operative position.

17. In a mechanism of the character descrihed. a lifting element. a rotarv member mnmected with said lifting element. an actiratingf'device to impart movement to said rotary member. a worm wheel. a clutch to connect said worm wheel with said rotary nienihcr when the latter is moved in a reverse direction. a worm meshing with said worm wheel. a normally inoperative actuating device r said worm. means controlled by the actuating deviee for said rotary memher to render said last-mentioncd actuating. device operative. and means for causing said worm wheel to be connected with said rotar) memher when said worm wheel is rotated b said Worm.

19. In a mechanism oi the character described. a lifting element. a rotary member connected with said lifting element, an actuatinr: device to impart movement to said rotary member. a worm wheel. a clutch comprising a yicldahlc member and adapted to connect said vorm wheel with said rotary member when the latter is moved in a reverse direction. a worm meshing with said worm wheel. a normally inoperative actuating device for said worm, means for rendering the first-mentioned actuation device inoperative and the last mentioned actuating" device operative and means for locking the yield-able membe of said clutch against movement to positively connect said worm wheel with said rotary member.

W. in a mechanism of the character dc- -i'iiiie1l. a ifting element. a rotary member r nnm led with i l l lifting element, a shaft connected with said rotary member. an HI- iuatiiig device mounted on said shaft, means for rendering said actuating device inoperative worm wheel loosely mounted on said rah-1ft, a clutch member connected with said worni wheel, a second clutch member slid ably JII 'iJil'ed n said shaft and held yieldng'l c in i'iij;,i :.'fi5 !li with the filSiIiIi"llilUIHfLl lutch im-niir-r, a nicsl'iing with said norm wheel. a 11- irmaily inoperative actuating device for said worn] and means controlled by said fir t-mentioned actuating device to render said last-mentioned actuating device opcra iic. and a defeat arranged to be moved into engagement w th said yield ab e clutch member to hold the same in engragement with said firstanentioned clutch member and positively secure said worm wheel to said shaft.

30. In a mechanism of the character described. a li l'ting' element. a rotary member connected with said lifting element, a shaft connected. with said rotary member, an actuating device mounted on saic shaftnneans for rendering said actuating device inoperative, a worm wheel loosely mounted on said shaft. a clutch member connected with said worm wheel, a second clutch member slid- ;iblv mounted on said shaft and held yieldingly in engagement with the first-mentioned clutch mcmhc a worm meshing with said worm wheel. a normally inoperative actuatng: device for said worm and'means controlled by aid llil-ii mentioned actuating device to render said last-mentioned actuating: device operative. :1 housing enclosing said worm wheel and said clutch members, a dcent slid-ably mounted in the wall of said housing and ope able from the exterior thereof to engage. said yieldable clutch meml er to hold the some in engagement with the first-mentioned clutch member and positively c nne t said worm wheel with said shaft 21. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element, an actuating de vice therefor comprising an operating memher, a controlling member, means to connect said controlling member with said lifting element when the latter moves downwardly, a second member cooperating with said controlling; member to retard the downward movement of said lifting: element, and means to disconnect said operating member from said lifting: element and connect the same with said retarding member, whereby the latter may be actuated by said operating member to permit said lifting element to move downwardly.

:22. In a mechanism of the character de scribed, a lifting: clement. an actuating device therefor comprising an operating member, a controlling member, means to connect said controlling member with said lifting element when the latter moves downwardly, 21 second member cooperating with said controlling member to retard. the downward movement of said lifting element, means to PUSitlVPl} connect said controlling member with said lifting element, and means to disconnect said operating member from said lifting element and to connect the same with said retarding member, whereby said controlling member may be caused to drive said lifting element downwardly.

23. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element, an actuating devi e therefor comprising an operating member, a controlling member, means to connect said controlling member with said lifting: element when the latter moves downwardly, a second member cooperating with said controlling member to retard the downward movement of said lifting element, means to positively connect said controlling member with said lifting element, and means to actuate said retarding member to cause said controllingmember to drive said lifting element downwardly.

24. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element, an actuating device therefor comprising an operating member, a rotatable member loosely connected with the lifting element, means for connecting said rotatable member with said lifting" element when the latter moves downwardly, mechanism for operatively connecting said rotatable member with said operation member and for disconnecting the latter from said lifting element, said means comprising a device for retarding the movement of said rotatable member by the downward movement of said lifting: element.

25. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting clement, an actuating de vice therefor comprising an operating memher, a rotatable member loosely connected with the lifting element, means for connecting said rotatable member with said lifting element when the latter moves downwardly, mechanism for operatively connecting said rotatable member with said operating member and for disconnecting the latter from said lifting element, said means comprising a device for retarding the movement of said rotatable member by the downward movement of said lifting element, and means for rigidly connecting said rotatable member with said lifting element whereby said rotatable element may be caused to drive said lifting element downwardly.

26. In a mechanism of the character de- IOU scribed, a lifting element, an actuating de- Vice therefor comprising an operating member, a worm wheel loosely connected with said lifting element. means to operatively connect said worm wheel with said lifting element when the latter moves downwardly, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, and means for disconnecting: said operating: member from said lifting; element and connecting the same with said worm wheel, whereby the latter may be rotated by said operating member to rotate said worm wheel.

27. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element, an actuating device therefor comprising an operating member, a worm wheel loosely connected with said lifting element, means to operativeiy connect said worm wheel with said lifting; element when the latter moves downwardly, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, means for disconnecting said operating; member from said lifting element and connectin the same with said worm wheel, where y the latter may be rotated by said operating member to rotate said worm wheel, and means to positively connect said worm wheel with said lifting element.

28. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element and an actuating device therefor comprising an operating member, a worm wheel loosely connected with said lifting element, means for operatively connecting said worm wheel with said lifting element when the latter moves downwardly, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, means for disconnecting said operating member from said lifting element and connecting the same with said worm, said means comprising intermeshing spiral gears.

29. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element and an actuating device therefor comprising an operating member, a worm wheel loosely connected with said lifting element, means for operatively connecting said worm wheel with said lifting element when the latter moves downwardly, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, and an actuating device for said worm arranged adjacent to the actuating device for said lifting element.

30. In a mechanism of the character described, alifting, element, a shaft connected with said lifting element, a rotatable member loosely mounted on said shaft, a clutch to connect said rotatable member with said shaft when said lifting member moves downwardly, an actuating device connected with said shaft to cause the latter to impart lifting movement to said lifting element, and a second actuating device mounted on said shaft and connected with said rotatable member to control the rotation thereof by said shaft when said lifting element moves downwardly.

3]. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element. a shaft connected with said lifting element, a rotatable member loosely mounted on said shaft, a clutch to connect said rotatable member with said shaft when said li'liinglncmbermoves downwardly, an actuating device connected with said shaft to cause the latter to impart liftin movement to said lifting element, a sec ond actuating dev ce mounted on said shaft and connected with said rotatable member to control the rotation thereof by said shaft when said liftin-gclcmcnt moves downwardly, said connection comprising spiral gears interposed between said rotatable element and the actuating device therefor.

32. In a mechanism ofthe character described, a lifting; element, a shaft connected with said lifting element, a rotatable 1ncm ber lrmselymoanted on said shaft, a clutch to connect said rotatable member with said shaft when said lifting member moves downwardly, an actuating device connected with said shaft to cause the latter to impart lifting movement to said lifting element, a second actuating device mounted on said shaft and connected with said rotatable member to control the rotation thereof by said shaft when said lifting element moves downwardly, and an operating member adapted to is? connected with either of said actuating devices.

33. in a mechanism of the character de scribed, a lifting element, a shaft connected with said lifting element, a worm wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, a clutch to connect said worm wheel with said shaft when said lifting clement moves downwardly, an actuating device operatively connected. with said shaft to impart lifting movement to said lifting element, said actuating device comprising" an operating member adapted to be disconnected therefrom, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, and an actitiatin g device for said worm comprising a part arranged adjacent to the first-mentioned actuating; device and adapted to be connected with said operating member when the latter is disconnected from said shaft.

34. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element, a shaft connected with said lifting elei-nent. a worm wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, a clutch to connect said worm wheel with said shaft when said lifting element moves downwardin, an actuating device operatively connected with said shaft to impart lifting movement to said lifting element, said actuating device comprising an operating member adapted to be disconnected therefrom, a worm meshingwith said worm wheel, and an actuating device for said worm comprising a part rotatably mounted about the axis of said shaft, and means for connecting said part with said operating member.

iii)

35. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a lifting element, a shaft connected with said lifting ele ment, a ratchet wheel secured to said shaft, an operating member rotatable about the axis of said shaft, a pawl carried by said opcrating member to engage said ratchet wheel, a worm wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, a clutch to connect said worm wheel with said shaft when said lifting element moves downwardly, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, a second ratchet wheel mounted for rotation about the axis of said shaft and operatively connected with said worm, a second pawl carried by said operating member to engage said last mentioned ratchet wheel, and means for rendering either of said pawls inoperative.

36. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a lifting element, a shaft connected with said lifting element, a ratchet wheel secured to said shaft, an operating member rotatable about the axis of said shaft, a pawl carried by said op erating member to engage said ratchet wheel, a worm wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, a clutch to connect said worm wheel with said shaft when said lifting element moves downwardly, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, a second ratchet wheel mounted for rotation about the axis of said shaft, means for connecting said ratchet wheel with said worm comprising spiral gears, a second ratchet Wheel carried by said operating member and adapted to engage the last mentioned ratchet wheel, and means for rendering either of said pawls inoperative.

37. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element, an actuating device therefor, a controlling member, means to connect said controlling member with said lifting element when the latter moves downwardly, a second member connected with said controlling member to control the movement thereof, means for actuating said second member, and a housing enclosing said members and adapted to contain a Inbricant.

38. In a mechanism of the character described. a lifting element, a shaft connected with said lifting element, means for rotating said shaft. a worm wheel loot-cl mounted on said she ft, :1 llutch to connect said worm wheel with said shaft when said lifting element motes \lownwmdly. a worm meshing with said worm wheel. means for actuating said worm. and a housing enclosing said worm and said worm wheel and adapted to contain a lubricant in which one of said parts will be wholly or partly innner c l.

39. In a mechanism of the character described. :1 lifting element, a structure surrounding said lifting element and having an o ening in one side thereof, a housing imprising an end plate closing said opening and secured to said structure, said housing also comprising a wall spaced from said plate, said wall and said plate having bearings, a shaft journalcd in said bearings and connected with said lifting element, a worm wheel loosely mounted on said shaft within said housing, a clutch to connect said worm wheel to said shaft when said lifting elemcnt moves downwardly, a worm also mounted in said housing for meshing with said worm wheel, and means for actuating said wormsaid housing being adapted to contain a lubricant.

4!). In a mechanism of the charzufter described, a lifting element, a structure surroumling said lifting, element and having an opening in one side thereof, a housing comprising an end plate closing said opening and secured to said structure, said housing also comprising a wall spaced from said plate, said wall and said plate having bearings, a shalt journaled in said bearings and connected with said lifting element, a worm wheel loosely mounted on said shaft within said housing, a clot: h to connect sai d worm wheel to said shalt when said lifting element moves downwardly, a worm also mounted in said housing for meshing with said worm wheel. and an actuating device for said worm comprising a pair of spiral gears mounted in said housing, said housing being adapted to contain a lubricant.

l-l, in a mechanism oi the character described, a lifting element. a strurture surrounding said lifting element and having an opening in one side thereof, a housing comprising an end plate mounted in said opening and secured to said structure, said housi ng also comprising a wall spaced from said plate, said wall and said plate having bearings, a shaft journaled in said bearings and connected with said lift ing element, a worm wheel loosely mounted on said shalt within said housing, a clutch to connect said worm wheel to said shaft when said lifting element moves downardly, a worm also mounted in said housing for meshing with said worm wheel, means for actuating said worm, said housing being adapted to contain a lubricant, and a detent slidably mounted in the wall of said housing to engage said clutch and positively scvuic said worm to said shaft.

l2. ln a mechanism of the clmrarl'or dcs-zcrilsed. the combination with a lifting element an actuating derive therefor. a rotatable member. a clutch to connect said rotatable member with said lil'lin r clement when the latter mores downwardly, said clutch comprising a yicldablo part, means for actuating S'Illl rotatable IlHIT!l-('1 to control the downward movement of said lifting element, and means to lclr the yicl lolile part of soil l'lfltl] again t inoieincnt to cause said rotatable member to lee-positively connected to said lifting element.

43. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element, a shaft connected with said lifting element, means for rotating said shaft to actuate said lifting element, a rotatable member loosely mounted on said shaft, a clutch member connected with said rotatable member, and a second clutch member slidably mounted on said shaft and arranged to connect said rotatable element with said shaft when said lifting element moves downwardly, a second rotatable member operatively connected with the first mentioned rotatablemeber, means for actuating said second rotatable member, and a locking device to engage the slidablemember of said clutch and hold the same positively in engagement with that member of said clutch which is connected with said rotatable member.

44. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element, a shaft connected with said lifting, element, means for rotating said shaft to actuate said lifting element, a rotatable member loosely mounted on said shaft, a clutch comprising a yieldable clutch member to connect said rotatable member with said shaft when said lifting member moves downwardly, a second member cooperating with said rotatable member to control the downward movement of said shaft, means for actuating said second member, and a friction clutch interposed between said rotatable member and said shaft to prevent said shaft from being rotated relatively to said rotatable member by the down ard movement of said lifting element.

45. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element, a shaft connected with said. lifting element, means for rotatinn said shaft to actuate said lifting element, a rotatable member loosely mounted on said shaft, a clutch comprising a yieldable clutch member to connect said rotatable member with said shaft when said lifting member moves downwardly, a second member coopcrating with said rotatable member to control the downward movement of said shaft, means for actuating said second member, said rotatable member having tapered slots therein opening against the surface of said shaft, and rollers mounted in the respective slots. said slots being so arranged that the movement of said shaft relatively to said rotntable member in a reverse direction will cause said rollers to lock said rotatable member to said shaft.

16, In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element, an actuating dcvirc therefor comprising an operating memher. a worm wheel loosely connected with said lifting element. means for operatively connecting said worm wheel with said lifting element when the latter moves downwardly, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, a device for controlling: the rotation of said worm during the downward Iil0\(- ment of said lif ingr clement, and retardinn means opcratively interposed between said, controlling devi e and said worm, wherebv the connection between the worm and the controlling dcvii'e is through the retarding means.

47. In a mechanism of the character dcscribed, a lifting" element. a worm whorl, means for connecting said worm wheel with said lifting element for rotation thereby when said lifting element movesdownwardly, a worm meshing: with said worm wheel, a device to control the movement of said worm dnrin thc downward movement of said lifting element, and spiral gearing interposed between said worm and said controlling device.

48. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element. a worm wheel disconnected from said lifting element during the upward inoven'icnt of said lifting clw rucnt, means for connecting said worm wheel with said lifting element for rotation thereby when said liftin; clement moves downwardly, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, an actuating device for said worm, and spiral gearing interposed botwccn said worm and said actuating device.

49. In a mechanism of the character do, -rcrilied, a lifting clement. a worm wheel, means for riinnccting said worm wheel with said lifting element for rotation ihcrchv when said lifting element moves downwardly, a worm meshing with said worm wheel, a device to control the movement of said worm during the downward movement of said lifting element, and a retarding device operatively inicrposrd between said worm and said controlling device. whereby the connection between the worm and the controlling device is il'irougg h the retarding means.

50. In a mechanism of the character described, a lifting element, a rotary member connected with said lifting clement, an actuating device to impart forward movement to said rotary member, a worm wheel. menus for connecting said worm wheel with salt rotary member when the latter is moved in a reverse direction. a worm meshing with said worm wheel. a spiral gear connected with said worm. a second spiral gear moshingl with the first meniioiicd spiral gear, and means Connected with said second spiral gear to control the movcnicnt of suid worm.

51. In a mechanism of the character dcscribed. a lifting element. an actuatin drvice therefor comprising an opcral'ing more her. a controlling member normally disconnected. from said lifting: member. :1 second member cooperating with said. rontroiliug member to retard the downward movement of said lifting element means to connect said controlling member wi h said lifting element. and means to actuate said retarding member to cause said controlling memher to drive said lifting element down- \vardly.

52' in a mechanism of the character descrihed a lifting element an actuating: device therefor; a controlling memher. means to connect said controlling member with said lifting clement when the latter moves downwardly. a second member connected with sai l controlling: member to control the izimeinent thereof by said lifting" member spiral gearing connected with said second member. a housing enclosing said members and said gearing and adapted to contain a lubricant, and means arranged externally of said housing and connected with said spiral gearing for controlling the movement of said second member.

In a mechanism of the character de scribed, a lifting element, a shaft connected with said element, means for rotatingsaid shaft a Worm Wheel movably mounted on said shaft means for connecting said worm wheel with said shaft when said lifting element moves downwardly. a Worm meshing with said Worm Wheel spiral gearing con nected With said worm. a hou ing enclosing said Worm Wheel. said worm and said gearing and adapted to contain a lubricant in which one of said parts will he wholly or partly immersed, and means arranged exteriorly of said housing and connected with said spiral gearing for controlling the rotation of said worm.

In testimony whereof, We afiix our signatures hereto.

CHARLES W RIPFlCH.

JAMES C. Di VLEi. CHARLES D. DERBY. 

